A study that evaluates the efficacy of a newer generation of silicone implants, commonly referred to as “gummy bear breast implants,” was released last week by Grant Stevens, MD, FACS. After studying 355 form-stable silicone gel breast implant patients, Stevens and his co-authors have found that fifth generation silicone breast implants are safe and have a similar complication profile to other silicone breast implants.

Fourth-generation silicone gel breast implants are widely available in the United States today. These implants use thicker and more cohesive silicone gel fillers compared to older silicone implant types. Fifth-generation silicone gel breast implants differ from their fourth generation counterparts because the silicone gel inside them is more highly cross-linked, helping them to retain shape better while remaining soft.

Over a 60-month period, Stevens studied 355 Los Angeles-based breast augmentation patients, including women who had primary augmentation, primary reconstruction and revision breast surgery. The study divided complications into three categories: tissue-related, implant-related cosmetic, and implant-related. Tissue-related is defined as revisions after implant surgery that may occur following any breast surgery. Implant-related cosmetic is defined as elective revisions that are cosmetic in nature; and implant-related is defined as complications related directly to the implant. The capsular contracture rate found in this study was 0.7% per implant, compared to a rate of 2.6% per implant when studying fourth-generation silicone gel implants.

“Based on our study, fifth-generation silicone gel breast implants appear to be a safe and viable alternative to fourth generation silicone gel implants,” says Stevens. “More research is needed to confirm our findings of a lower capsular contracture rate with the gummy bear implants, but this combined with other purported advantages of fifth generation silicone implants is an encouraging sign that breast augmentation outcomes will continue to improve in the future.”

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[Source: Stock Markets Review]